Roping dummy apparatus

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled roping dummy apparatus comprising a dummy body shaped to represent an animal such as a steer and a head pivotally mounted on to a front portion of the dummy body. The apparatus further comprises a pair of adjustable legs attached to a rear portion of the dummy body or a base frame comprising a wheel assembly driven by a motor unit powered by a rechargeable battery. The apparatus can be used for roping training including heading and heeling practicing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to the technical field of rodeo training apparatus and more specifically relates to a dummy apparatus simulating a movable steer for practicing team roping and steer roping techniques.

2. Description of Related Art

Rodeo events have gained increased popularity attracting a growing number of spectators and participants. Steer roping is a famous rodeo event which commonly involves two mounted ropers, such as a header who is responsible for roping a released steer's head and turning it to the left, and a heeler who is responsible for roping the hind legs of the steer and turning in the opposite direction to immobilize the steer. This sport can be performed as an individual event or as a two member team mounted on horses. Roping involves throwing a rope, or lasso, to ensnare the head, horns, or legs of a calf or a steer in order to immobilize the animal.

Roping of the horn or head and hind legs of a live steer in a rodeo event or other roping contest requires the participant to learn and develop roping skills through extensive practice. Practicing on live calves and steers, however, is frequently inconvenient, expensive, or otherwise impractical because of the stress placed upon the animal and possible injury. Therefore, both amateur and professional rodeo ropers frequently employ steer dummies to practice their roping skills. These steer dummies or roping dummies superficially resemble a calf or steer, with the head, horns, and/or legs configured to be ensnared by a lasso.

Roping dummies are used for a variety of activities, which include roping training and practice, roping demonstrations, and roping competitions. Roping dummies generally consist of a head and torso of a one of many types of livestock, be it a calf, cow, steer, bull, sheep, horse, goat or other type of livestock. However, majority of the prior art roping devices are stationary or towed with the help of a vehicle which results in very unrealistic movement. The conventional roping dummies does not resemble the movement of a living steer. Further, many of these roping dummy apparatuses do not allow both a header and a heeler to practice on same apparatus.

Therefore, there still exists a need in the art for a movable roping dummy apparatus, which closely resembles the movement of a live steer and comprises a pair of adjustable hind legs, for learning and practicing steer roping skills.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-propelled roping dummy apparatus for practicing steer roping techniques. The apparatus comprises a dummy body, shaped generally like a steer and a head pivotally mounted on to a front portion of the dummy body. The head comprises a pair of horns attached to it for practicing roping techniques. The apparatus further comprises a base frame comprising a wheel assembly powered by a battery unit for movement of the steer dummy. The apparatus further comprises a pair of adjustable hind legs attached to the base frame via a support member, the height of the hind legs can be adjusted according to different types of terrain.

The dummy body comprises a motor unit with a capacity of 12000 rpm which can be operated by a battery unit similar to the battery unit used in ATV. The adjustable hind legs further comprises a switch control configured to shut off the motor unit of the roping dummy when the adjustable legs are roped. The wheel assembly comprises a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, wherein the pair of front wheel comprises a pin system operable to set the front wheels in one fixed direction which allows the apparatus to move in circle thereby allowing to practice heeling. The wheel assembly is configured to be driven by 84:1 gear ratio planetary gear mechanism.

In an embodiment, the self-propelled roping dummy apparatus of the present invention comprises a self mounted 6 volt recharging system at the rear portion of the dummy body, the recharging system comprises an extendable cord which can be plugged into an electric outlet for recharging. In an embodiment, the dummy body of the self-propelled roping dummy apparatus comprises a push button remote system for stopping and starting the steer from a predefined distance.

The front and rear wheels are constructed using hard plastic and the dummy body can be constructed using plastic, metal or combination of both. The apparatus can be used for practicing roping by one or two persons at a time. The adjustable legs can also be used to work on a roping problem in addition to practicing heeling techniques.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of the self-propelled roping dummy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the support member attachable to the base frame of the self-propelled roping dummy apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the self-propelled roping dummy apparatus according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus simulating a steer for use by a header and/or a heeler during roping practice. The apparatus is a roping dummy used for practicing steer roping and team roping techniques. The dummy body comprises a head consisting two horns attached to the front portion for practicing heading techniques. The dummy body is mounted on a base frame equipped with wheel assembly for providing a smoother ride through different terrain surfaces. A support frame comprising a pair of adjustable hind legs can be attached to the base frame for practicing heeling techniques.

Referring to FIG. 1 showing a side view of the self-propelled roping dummy apparatus 100 for practicing steer roping techniques. The apparatus 100 comprises a dummy body 102 shaped generally like an animal such as a steer and a head 104 pivotally mounted on to a front portion of the dummy body 102. The head 104 comprises a pair of horns 106 attached on top portion, the horns 106 are configured to function as a target for roping, for example, the horns 106 can be used as a target area for practicing heading techniques. The horns 106 can be made of different sizes and shapes suitable for practicing roping skills.

The apparatus 100 further comprises a support frame 122 comprising a pair of adjustable hind legs 108, wherein the height of the legs 108 can be adjusted using a plurality of height adjustment slots 109 according to different types of terrain. The legs 108 function as another target area for roping, such as for practicing heeling techniques. The support frame 122 can be easily coupled to the dummy body 102 and can be detached from the dummy body 102 when not in use. The dummy body 102 comprises a wheel assembly comprising a pair of front wheels 112 and the pair of rear wheels 114, both the front wheels 112 and rear wheels 114 are powered by a motor unit 116 for movement of the apparatus 100. The adjustable hind legs 108 further comprises a switch control 111 configured to shut off the motor unit 116 of the roping dummy apparatus 100 when the adjustable hind legs 108 are being roped.

In one embodiment, either the pair of rear wheels 114 or the pair of front wheels 112 are driven by a rechargeable battery unit. The self-propelled roping dummy apparatus 100 of the present invention may comprise a 2 speed power steer roping dummy operated by a battery unit similar to the battery unit used in an ATV. For example, the dummy body 102 comprises the motor unit 116 with a capacity of 12000 rpm which can be operated by the battery unit. The apparatus 100 can be used for practicing roping by one or two persons at a time. The adjustable legs 108 can also be used to work on a roping problem in addition to practicing heeling techniques.

In an embodiment the pair of front wheels 112 may comprise a pin system (not shown) which is operable to set the front wheels 112 in a fixed position oriented towards a particular direction, which allows the apparatus 100 to move in circles, thereby allowing to practice heeling techniques. The head 104 is pivotally attached to the front portion of the dummy body 102 which is fixedly mounted over a base frame 110.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the support member 122 attachable to the base frame 110. The support member 122 comprises the switch control 111 operatively connected to the motor unit (not shown). The switch control is configured to sense when the adjustable hind legs are roped and to shut off the motor unit soon after roping has been sensed. The support member 122 further comprises a tension spring 113 configured to hold the adjustable hind legs in a straight position till pressure is exerted on the legs. In one embodiment, the support member can be detachably coupled to the dummy body by sliding a central pin 121 of the support member 122 into the base frame 110.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the self propelled roping dummy apparatus 100 comprising dummy body 102 coupled with the support member 122 comprising the pair of adjustable hind legs 108, the height of the legs 108 can be adjusted according to heeling preferences and type of the terrain. The support member 122 is attached to the base frame 110 and/or to the dummy body 102. In one embodiment, the rear portion of the dummy body 102 comprises a self mounted recharging system consisting a retractable cord 105 which can be plugged into an electrical socket for recharging.

The roping dummy apparatus 100 further comprises a push button remote system configured to stop and start the steer from a predefined distance. The wheel assembly is configured to be driven by 84:1 gear ratio planetary gear mechanism. The front wheels 112 and rear wheels 114 are constructed of hard plastic, whereas the dummy body 102 can be constructed using plastic, metal, or a combination of both materials. The adjustable hind legs 108 are easily removable for dismantling and transportation of the apparatus 100. The adjustable hind legs 108 further comprise a locking system to hold the legs 108 stationary till roping.

The self propelled, battery powered, roping dummy apparatus closely resembles the movement of a live steer and comprises horns and adjustable hind legs, which serves as roping target areas for learning and practicing steer roping skills including heading and heeling techniques simultaneously or separately.

The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-propelled roping dummy apparatus comprising: a dummy body shaped to represent an animal to be roped; a head pivotally mounted on to a front portion of the dummy body; a pair of adjustable hind legs attached to the dummy body via a support member; and a base frame comprising a wheel assembly driven by a motor unit.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly comprises a pair of front wheels and a pair of back wheels.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head comprises a pair of horns functioning as a target for roping.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprises a rechargeable battery unit configured to drive the motor unit.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dummy body is mounted over the base frame.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dummy body is made of hard plastic or metal.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a switch control operable to shut off the motor unit upon roping of the adjustable hind legs.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dummy body is generally shaped like a steer. 